Loving the Wrong Mate

The winds blew roughly and heavy thunder threatened to destroy the earth. People scampered into their homes to shelter themselves from the coming rain.

Far away from the rest of the town, a woman, Nadia writhed in pain within a cave. She was heavy with child and due at any moment.

"It'll be over soon" her lover, Phil whispered in her ear while clutching her hands tightly.

The woman shook her head. "I want it gone. Now" she raised her voice in anger.

The door opened slightly and another woman, Vane put her head through the doors.

"How is she coping?" She directed the question to the man.

"When can you get this thing out of me" Nadia yelled before Phil could respond to Vane.

A scowl crossed Vane's face and she stepped into the room, shutting the door.

"You still have so much distaste for the child you harbor within you"

"I do not want it. I've never wanted it" Nadia yelled getting more upset.

"It's a she" Vane lost her temper.

"You high need to calm down," Phil said trying to ease some of the tension.

"Tell her to take it out," Nadia said. That was her only concern, getting the babe out of her stomach.

"You know it's impossible. The child will make an appearance when she chooses to" Vane said in a calm voice.

"Isn't there anything we can do for her?" Phil asked.

"No. She should have thought of the consequences before jumping into this"

Nadia scoffed. "Believe me, if I had known it would be anything like this, I won't have agreed to birth this cursed child"

"She's not cursed. She's a gift"

"What gift brings destruction"

"It's not destruction if she puts an end to evil. She's the child of the prophecy. The one who will bring an end to a reign of terror. The key to the sword" Vane said with so much passion.

"You're delusional Vane. He cannot be killed"

"The prophecy says otherwise"

"The prophecy may be false"

"Don't speak blasphemy" Phil and Vane yelled at her simultaneously.

"Why did you agree to this then?" Phil asked in a calm voice. If she hated the idea of the child so much, why did she agree to this?

"Because I couldn't bear to lose you. You had been chosen by the damned prophecy and you were going to father a child with another woman. I couldn't take it. But now....." Nadia trailed off. Nobody had a single idea how much she regretted her reckless decision back then.

"Nothing has changed" Phil tried to console her but she was having none of it.

"Everything has changed. You're all consumed with the damned prophecy. Obsessed with a sword we aren't even sure to find. It's like I don't know you anymore" she cried.

Phil cupped her face lovingly.

"It's only until the birth. Everything will go back to normal"

"Nothing will ever be normal around here" they all knew it.

"Do whatever you can. I want the child out of me" Nadia said calmly.

Vane rolled her eyes and exited the building.

It was raining outside. From a small drizzle to a heavy downpour. The residents of the cave moved about busily while anticipating the birth of the child, the key.

After another grueling hour of pain, the baby was ready to make its appearance. Phil was ushered out of the room and the women surrounded Nadia.

They changed in the old tongues, calling for the baby and praying for a safe entrance into the world.

Nadia's agony worsened. It felt like her bones were being crushed and her insides ripped out. She struggled to breathe and clutched the sheet tightly.

"Help me" Nadia wheezed but their chants only grew louder.

After what felt like forever, the baby finally slipped into the world. Nadia's body was shutting down from all the pain and activities.

She only had a glimpse of the baby's red curls before she passed out. And despite all the hate she claimed to have, she wished to have held the baby for once in her arms.

Vane carried the baby out of the room to clean her up. The sacred water had been set aside for her first bath and cleansing, the blood washed up and the baby wrapped up in traditional clothes.

"A blessing," Vane said in awe.

"I'm great full to witness the partial fulfillment of a prophecy and to meet the key" one of the women whispered and the others agreed.

"Where should we keep her? Do we take her back to her mother?"

"Mother?" Vane scoffed.

"Nadia is only a vessel. She's unworthy to be called her mother"

"But surely the baby will need her comfort"

"The baby is not like us. She doesn't need any comfort from anyone. She's a special gift from the goddess. Besides, Nadia has made it clear she wants nothing to do with the child. We'll be doing her a favor"

The woman was still not convinced. The mother and child would need each other at least for a few days or weeks.

"So what do you plan to do to her then?"

"She stays in the temple. We'll do a roster of who will watch her at intervals. No touching, just watching. I'll take the first watch"

The women agreed and left the temple.

Vane sits by the baby, watching her intently as if she may disappear. After her time was up, another woman took her place and it continued like that for the rest of the night and into the early hours of the morning.

The rain had since stopped and a few people wandered outside. Vane couldn't resist the urge to see the baby again even though her turn to watch the child wasn't due yet.

But being in the presence of the goddess gift was enough to make her over-excited. She pushed open the heavy doors of the temple and her smile vanished.

A woman lay on the ground with her neck cut open. Her eyes snapped to where she had kept the baby and fear gripped her.

The baby was gone.

TWENTY-ONE YEARS LATER

Alma wiped her tears away quickly as she heard footsteps approaching. It would probably be one of her family members and she didn't want any of them to see that she had been crying. It'll only make them worried.

"Alma?" She heard Paisley's voice and she turned quickly with a fake smile.

"Are you okay?" Paisley asked with concern and furrowed brows.

"Of course, I am," I said quickly hoping she wouldn't notice the catch in my voice or smell the tears but nothing ever passed her.

"Have you been crying"

"No," I said quickly but her eyes told me she didn't believe me.

"What's wrong? Tell me what's wrong"

"You're being paranoid Paisley. Nothing is wrong and that's the truth"

"If you don't tell me the truth I'm calling the others" she opened her mouth to yell but I stopped her instantly. Paisley wasn't bluffing and I didn't want her calling the others. It'll only blow things out of proportion since they were overly protective of me.

Being the last child of the family and the huge age difference between us, they liked to coddle me and treat me like a baby. It was cute sometimes and other times, it made me want to pull my hair in frustration.

"Fine. I'll tell you"

"Go on then," she said after a few minutes passed and I didn't say a word to her.

"It's Liv"

"What did that bitch do this time," Paisley asked angrily. Everyone knew Liv. She was a thorn in my flesh. My sisters always wanted to take care of her but I never let them. I didn't want them fighting my battles for me. It'll only prove that Liv was right. That I was weak and couldn't defend myself.

"The normal thing. About me being different"

"I should really bash her face. That fucking bitch. Don't listen to anything she has to say"

"But she's right. I'm different. Why?" I still couldn't understand it after so many years.

My family belonged to a werewolf pack. They were werewolves. Everyone around me was a werewolf except for a few who were witches and healers. But even then, they belonged somewhere. I wasn't a wolf or a witch or a healer. I was just an ordinary person.

It really upset and hurt me. I wanted to be more like my family. To be able to shift into my wolf and go for pack runs.

"You're not different. Maybe a late bloomer" she muttered the last part.

That excuse was old. I was twenty-one already but I had no sign of a wolf.

"You know it's not it. Why am I like this?"

"There's nothing wrong with you" I scoffed and she sighed.

"Even if you're different from us, it doesn't matter. We love you like that. And remember sometimes being different is good"

"Not in this case"

"Don't listen to jealous outsiders. We love and accept you however you are and that should be what matters most"

"She also mentioned my bond with Tomas. What if?" I was scared to complete the question.

"What is it, Alma?"

"What if he really isn't my mate?" I cried.

"Come on. Did that bitch say this too? Tomas is your mate. How can you even doubt that?"

"I can't feel the bond. Not like him or any other wolf"

"But you feel his genuine love?" I hesitated and then I nodded.

"Yes"

"Exactly. You know what you feel here" she pointed to my heart.

"That's what is important to you. Not what any jealous bitch has to say. Never doubt Tomas's love for you or ours either. Mama and papa will be upset if they find out you cried over this issue again"

"Don't tell them" I said quickly. I didn't want them to worry about me.

"I won't. As long as you promise not to cry again"

I nodded quickly. "I won't"

"Good. Take a shower and get ready for your date" she kissed my head and left the room.

I had a quick shower and changed into new clothes. My whole family was gathered downstairs and I was bombarded with kisses the moment they spotted me.

If it wasn't a usual normal occurrence, I would have concluded that Paisley told them of what happened and this was their way of reassuring me that they love me.

I couldn't stay long with them because Tomas appeared at the door and I had to go with him. We liked our hands together as we walked through the pack.

"Have you told them of the mating ceremony?"

"No. I've not had a chance to. But I'll do it today" he nodded.

"I can't wait to complete the bond with you" he cupped my chin and kissed me chastely.

"I can't wait for that too"

We arrived at the private place where the picnic was going to happen. A thin blanket had been laid on the ground with covered dishes that were certainly prepared by Tomas.

We had just taken our positions and reached for the food when we heard a howl. Tomas immediately went still.

The howl was heard again and multiple howls followed after.

"What's going on?"

"Walk down to the river and stay there. Don't leave until I come for you" he instructed.

I wanted to ask another question but he was already leaving. I couldn't shake off the fear and worry as I hurried to the river. It would help to hide my scent in case of any danger.

But my family, and Tomas. I hope they were safe. I stayed by the river until a long time passed and I couldn't wait anymore. I passed through the path we had come through earlier, trying hard not to make any sound as I walked.

I couldn't hear any sound as I walked in the direction of my home. My fear doubled. Where was everyone? Did something happen?

I continued to walk further, unconscious of my environment when someone came from behind, clamping their hand over my mouth and dragging me behind the trees.

I struggled against the stranger.

"Calm down. It's me" the voice was strangely familiar but I couldn't remember who owned the voice.

"Don't scream. Or you'll attract them" attract who?

"Promise?" I nodded quickly, eager to be free from his hold.

He instantly let me go and I spun to face him.

"Danny?"

"What are you doing here Danny?" Danny was an old friend of Tomas's. He grew up in our pack but after his eighteenth birthday, he left and only visited once in a while. I used to have a teenage crush on him.

"There was an attack," he said in a small voice.

"Attack? What happened to my family? What about Tomas?"

"I don't know. I was just entering the pack when they were leaving. They had some men tied up and dragged them away"

"Oh, goddess. Do you think Tomas was taken? What if my family? I have to go and see if they are alright"

I turned to leave it he grabbed my arms.

"You can't go back there. There may be more of them"

"But what about my family?"

"They may not ne alive at this point"

"Nooo. That's impossible. I'm going to see them and make sure they are alright"

"And get yourself killed?"

"What's life without them?" I cried. I couldn't live without my family.

"You get a chance to avenge your family"

"No" I cried loudly.

"I'm going to see them"

We heard a loud shout and Danny muttered under his breath.

"We have to leave now" he dragged me away. Tears blurred my vision as he pulled me away from my pack, and my family.

We finally came to a stop in a cave.

"You have to wait here. I must return to the pack"

"No. I'll come with you" Danny shook his head.

"It's safer if you stay here and wait for me. I just need to see the situation of the pack. If you don't see me by morning, you must leave here. Head north, and you'll come upon a small village. And look for a man named H"

"H?"

"That's what he's known as. You must find him. He'll know what to do next"

"I don't like the way you're speaking. Let me go back with you"

"If anything happens to me Alma, you must avenge our pack"

"Avenge?" Tears were dripping from my eyes. Just a few hours ago, I was with my family and my mate and now I wasn't even sure of anything.

"Yes, Alma. Wait here" he dashed off, leaving me alone in the cave.

I sat by the entrance, crying and checking every second to see if Danny would return. But there was no sign of him. Nightfall came and my body couldn't fight sleep anymore.

When I opened my eyes. It was daybreak already. I looked outside but there was no sign of Danny. The tears started again and my heart clenched.

I came out from the cave and heard a sound towards the right. It was Danny.

"Danny" I yelled and ran over to him, wrapping my arms tightly around him.

"You're alive"

"Yes. They were gone when I arrived. And when I returned, you were asleep"

"You should have woken me up. I thought I would have yo head north by myself"

His face turned serious.

"What happened Danny"

"The pack. Everyone was murdered" I staggered on my feet.

"Mama and papa? Paisley?" He nodded.

"Why? Who could have done this evil?" I sobbed. My family was snatched away from me just like that. How do I survive?

"No ideas. I didn't see Tomas. He must be among those who were taken away"

"We have to find him"

"Yes. I need to investigate and find out who was responsible for this. But you need to be safe"

"I want to come with you" he shook his head instantly.

"You cannot. It's unsafe. I'll take you to my cousin's pack. You will be safe there"

"No"

"I'll visit frequently and bring you updates. But you need to be safe while I investigate"

"No" I wanted to go with him. I wanted to help and uncover what was happening.

"Please, Alma. It's too dangerous. I don't want you to be hurt or killed too. These are dangerous people"

I sighed in resignation. He was right.

"You promise to come always?"

"I promise"

"Okay. I'll stay at your cousin's pack" he smiled brightly at me.

"Let's go now"

We started heading south and I paused.

"Aren't we supposed to go north?"

"My cousin's pack is south. I only have a friend in the North"

"Okay," we continued our journey. There was no sight of other people on this path. I'd never left my pack before so I didn't know how it was outside.

When we arrived at the pack, I was glad.

"Finally. It's been a long walk. Where does your cousin stay"

"My cousin? This isn't my cousin's pack"

"What? We haven't arrived yet?"

He shook his head. "We stopped here because you must be hungry and tired. I assumed you'll need some rest"

Yes. I needed rest but I truly thought we had arrived at the pack.

After filling our stomachs and resting for a while, we continued our journey. We stopped for the rest three more times, the packs having a great distance between themselves.

We arrived at another pack at dusk.

"Is this it?" It was the question I asked each time we arrived at a new pack.

"Yes," he said finally and I sighed in relief. A few people loitered about.

"Do we still have to walk further before we come to your cousin's place?"

"Yes. Just a little more"

As we walked through the pack, I couldn't help but admire the state. Unlike the other packs, you could tell instantly that this was a wealthy pack. There were no dirty streets or old houses.

We continued to walk further until we arrived at the gates of a beautiful mansion. My mouth hung open in amazement as I stared at the large building.

It was as large as my pack.

"Is this your cousin's house?"

"Yes"

"But how... why..." I couldn't form any questions. How was his cousin this wealthy?

"He is the alpha"

That clarified a lot of things then. His cousin was a very wealthy alpha.

"The Alpha King"